Comments on: Q&A on the Houston Rockets’ alleged interest in the #4 pick

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:11:04 +0000

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:11:00 +0000

By: Rocket Fan in Santa Barbara

Rocket Fan in Santa Barbara — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:57:22 +0000

Does Chris Paul’s possible availability make make Morey pause before pushing for a big draft day trade? It seems like the Rockets have a lot of trading chips to make the Paul trade happen…

By: Rocket Fan in Santa Barbara

Rocket Fan in Santa Barbara — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:57:00 +0000

Does Chris Paul’s possible availability make make Morey pause before pushing for a big draft day trade? It seems like the Rockets have a lot of trading chips to make the Paul trade happen…

By: Stephen

Stephen — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 23:04:06 +0000

The smokescreen could be Morey and Kahn are talking,but it's about the other 2 Firsts Minn has. Morey is amenable to helping Kahn build value for the #4 in return for getting his deal done.

By: rahat_huq

rahat_huq — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:27:04 +0000

I have not heard/read anything specific to Eliyahu, but I would be pretty surprised if they went that route with their MLE. They're expected to be over the luxury tax, so they would have to feel any signing they made was worth double his actual cost – I'm not sure they feel THAT strongly about Lior.

By: Nyjets2k

Nyjets2k — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:16:53 +0000

Rahat,
Have you heard anything regarding whether the Rockets are giving consideration to bringing Lior Eliyahu stateside next year? Would that not be a wise use of the portion of the MLE? Especially if they deal one of their wings in the upcoming draft. Last I heard, I thought he was making progress and would have a chance at cracking the rotation. Thoughts?

By: rahat_huq

rahat_huq — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:22:15 +0000

I would not be opposed to completely rebuilding if the prognosis on Yao is bleak.

Here's my thoughts – my initial reaction is to think its a smoke screen..but why? Morey has been rumored to be after almost every major player he has acquired of late, from Artest, to Martin, to Jordan Hill. Only draft rumors (ie: rumors) have not come to fruition, but rather than being smokescreens, they just did not happen for whatever reason (we couldn't get it done or chose not to.) So I guess I have to wonder why our natural reaction is to assume that because it has not been the case.

By: RFWC

RFWC — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:37:54 +0000

I think this #4 pick is like the #2 Memphis pick last year. All sorts of smoke screen. Where Morey shines is identifying redundancies (players who can be had) in other teams. For example, Minnesota already drafted 3 PG last yr and Flynn may be available for Aaron Brooks for 1 to 1. Brooks may command a bit more value because he makes less. Sounds familiar? (Landry makes less than Martin). Brooks can be moved to shooting guard to entice Rubio. But if this is such a great deal for the Wolves what should the Rockets get in return? What if Rubio still holds out? Anyway it makes sense Minnesota is making headlines because they have an obvious excess in a position. I really cannot see Morey identifying the #4 pick as the pick where he will find the next Olajuwon and then gives away the whole team. He missed the San Antonio second round pick (Hill) as a good player. He will miss others. #4 is a means to an end, not the goal.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:11:30 +0000

Never happen,but Morey could be looking at rebuilding on the fly w/a couple of trades.
First a three-way w/Minn and Chi.
Martin,Andersen,cash,#14,maybe the 2010 First to Minn for the #4,#23 and Al Jefferson who is delayed traded to Chi for their #17 and big TPE.
Then Ariza(again delayed trade),#17,cash to Clippers for #8,TPE

W/the #4 and #8 the Rockets could draft a very promising wing/big combo:
Cousins/George
Henry/Patterson-Udoke-Aldrich
and whatever project they want at 23.

Replacing Martin,Andersen and Ariza w/3 rookies shaves some $12mil+ off payroll. So adding a FA SG using one of the TPEs will still see the team under the Lux Tax.(Hou could offer a TPE to Wash,Atl in exchange for doing a sign-n-trade w/Miller/Childress-who could get a little more than the MLE) Maybe even Rudy for one of the 2012s and rights to Llull.
Rocket starting five would be Yao,Scola,Battier,Brooks and Bud/FA-except for Artest the same as the 52 win team from 2 yrs ago. Bench of Lowry,Taylor,FA?,Rookie,Jeffries,Hill,Hayes,Rookie.
Team still super young,but has vet leadership of Hayes and Battier.

I know it's not going to happen,but for the next few days all kinds of possibilities exist.
Best time of the yr for those of us who want to play "So you think you're smarter than a GM?"

By: Dennis

Dennis — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:25:25 +0000

Why not dangle Ariza and maybe Taylor plus picks for the #4? He would be a huge Carl Landry type lift for us coming off the bench.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 08:49:00 +0000

I would hate to know that Morey plans to rebuild. He's talked so much of cramming opportunity into the next three years. I don't want the Yao Era to be a complete failure. We really are one superstar PF away. Why can't we at least be the Hawks and get eliminated with a healthy roster every year? The Yao Era has had too many “what if”s.

By: rahat_huq

rahat_huq — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 07:40:50 +0000

thanks Mike.

Diwode – I think he fits great next to Rubio in theory, but with such a young core, I don't see why they would trade a high lottery pick for an injury prone 27 year old.

By: Diwode

Diwode — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 07:34:10 +0000

I've heard that Khan doesn't want Martin.

By: Mike Kerns

Mike Kerns — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 07:24:43 +0000

Nice work Rahat! Terrific stuff.